Neoplasia

Question 1

What is Neoplasia?

Answer 1

Abnormal cell growth & differentiation

Question 2

Define: Neoplasm

Answer 2

Tumor
Abnormal Mass/Growth
Irreversible Growth

Question 3

Define: Benign

Answer 3

Uncontrolled, slow growth.
May stop or regress (most will stop growth, usually will not regress)
Differentiated cells
Non-Invasive

Question 4

Define: Malignant

Answer 4

Cancer (CA)
Disorderly, rapid growth
Poorly differentiated cells
Invasive & damaging

Question 5

Cancer (CA)

Answer 5

Malignant tumor d/t mutated genes

Excessive division of cells
Problem lies at the genetic level

Question 6

TP53

Answer 6

The gene which causes apoptoisis when the DNA of respective cells is damaged.

Defective in 50% of cancers

Question 7

DNA Repair Genes

Answer 7

Repair alterations/mistakes in DNA sequencing.
Usually the main target in Cancer.

Question 8

Proto-oncogenes

Answer 8

Your “Go” Genes
Increase cell divisions
If mutated: uncontrolled division and increased growth

Question 9

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Answer 9

Your “Stop” Genes
Decreses cell divisions
If mutated: cell divison uninhibited and increased growth

Question 10

Oncogenes
(Cancer Genes)

Answer 10

Any gene that causes malignant growth.

Question 11

Suffix -oma

Answer 11

benign tumor

Question 12

Suffix - carcinoma

Answer 12

Malignant

Question 13

What is the average size of tumor before clinically detectable?

Answer 13

1 cm
Takes about 10 yrs to achieve that size. It has undergone 30 doublings & contains approximately 1 billion cells.

Question 14

Methods of Spread

Answer 14

1. Extention & Invasion (Local
   )
2. Seeding in Body Cavity (Abdominal Cavity)
   Cells fall off and spread with-in a body
3. Matastasis via blood/lymph

Question 15

Metastasis

Answer 15

Spread of CA cells from primary to secondary site.
Lymphatic system/tissue is most common site.
Followed by liver, lungs, bones, and brain.

Has three stages:
Stage 1: Invastion of local tissue aided by enzymes destroying neighbouring cells. Emboli (cancer cells) enter blood or lymph vessel.
Stage 2: Travel via blood or lymph, reach area of resistance (capillary bed), attach to suitable site (aided by cytokines, growth factors).
Stage 3: Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) & Cell growth at secondary site.

Question 16

Grading and Staging:
T0 - 4

Answer 16

Indicative of tumor size. T0 denotes no tumor in place.
Tx - cannot be assessed.

Question 17

Grading and Staging:
N0-3

Answer 17

Denotes the regional lymphnodes and if they are affected by cancer. N0 = no lymphnode involved.
Nx - cannot be assessed

Question 18

Grading and Staging:
M0-1

Answer 18

Metastasis. Only is M1. If M0, not metastasis
Mx - cannot be assessed

Question 19

Grading and Staging:
Histology

Answer 19

I thru IV @ primary site
I = restrictive
IV = extensive

Question 20

What are the 6 different CA treatment options?

Answer 20

1. Radiation
2. Chemotherapy
3. Sx = Surgery
4. Immunotherapy
5. Hormone Therapy
6. Combination Therapy

Question 21

Treatment: Radiation

Answer 21

Necrosis via:
Free radical production (affects all cells)
Distribution of DNA bonds

Question 22

Treatment: Chemotherapy

Answer 22

Drugs to target cells, esp. cancer cells, but will also affect other cells.
Targets cell divison
Prevents/slows growth of cells

Question 23

Treatment: Surgery

Answer 23

Excise tumor (All of the malignant cells need to be removed)

Question 24

Treament: Immunotherapy

Answer 24

Used to artificially kick start immune response.
Uses cytokines and Anti-bodies.
Stiumlation of Immune Response to destroy CA cells.

Not used as a stand alone therapy.

Question 25

Treatment: Hormone Therapy

Answer 25

Only used for hormone dependent CA, and hormone responsive tumors
Using anti antiogen to block an antigen that supports tumor.
Disrupts regular function.